Help

DAY 672

Not as regular posting but life continues as a gamble free one. Weekend was good, went to my friends sons Christening on Saturday and yesterday I had the folks down. My Mum helped me with the garden and my Dad painted my kitchen and bathroom ceilings. I then took them for lunch and my GF joined too, all in all a nice weekend.

Today I have had some great news. With The help of The Financial Ombudsman I have been busy complaining to several loan companies about affodability. I have had a win today and a refund of £6k interest and charges I paid in the height of my gambling problems so that is huge!! My debts are now more than manageable and I should be debt free by the end of the year!!

Wednesday I am meeting with lawyers to start the ball rolling on the company takeover. Life is certainly heading in a positive direction and it is all down to my continued recovery from this horrible addiction. If I can inspire anyone to stop gambling and keep the faith that life can only get better, that I think would be the ultimate "cherry on the top".

Stay strong everyone

Matt

wow, another great update and congrats on the refund, I had a few myself but one of £3k and a few much smaller, sadly my biggest three complaints were rejected and whilst I could of contested it further I was in the midst of my counselling and didn't have the energy to fight all battles, still getting some back was a relief and it was great to put it into debt repayments. If anyone else does read this, a website called debtcamel offers some fantastic, free advice but please don't even try unless you are on a sound gamble free footing - or it will just be more tokens - and try to do so within 6 years

great update matt24 and best wishes

day 687

Things progressing and I am still happily gamble free. I haven't been able to get on here much as I am so busy with work projects and the future of my company.

Last couple of weekends have been nice catching up with some old friends and sharing a few beers together.

This morning was a really interesting one. My neighbour who I get on very well with caught me as I left for work for a chat. Just talking this and that and he told me his son has moved out recently. I said nice one and good for him. He then said, yeah it's a bit of releief as he's been a bit of a nightmare to parent. He said, Ive had to bail him out a lot financially as he has a big gambling problem. I didn't immediately say much as I had to leave for work but it goes to show how many of us suffer with it.

I think I will share a beer with him at some point and give him some advice from an ex gamblers perspective. They say everything happens for a reason and I truly believe that, maybe I moved house 3 years ago to a new area to help my neighbour with some advice, who knows.

Stay stong all.

Matt

The world is indeed full of mystery Matt and strange things do happen which we can't account for. I don't suppose any of us will get out of this alive so best we make the adventure worthwhile.

It maybe needs a little courage, faith and hope but we can embrace life, explore opportunities and give a reason to our existence. It is not what we encounter on life's highway that will determine our success or failure but how we responded to the challenges we faced.

As we are about to step over the finishing line there might be flashing lghts, angels and sweet music or maybe there will be just us alone with our memories. Let's work on making those memories something which we can cherish, be proud of and smile about....stephen

Hi Stephen

As ever your words are inspirational, eloquent and thoughtful. I really hope you can get to where you crave to be and at peace with yourself.

Stay strong.

Matt

Hi Matt
When I first came on here in June yours was the first diary that I read from start to finish and my word was it a story! Through all the ups and downs you came out so strong and continue to get stronger by the day. You should be so proud if your achievement.
Thankyou for the inspiration and I wish you all the luck in the world for your continued recovery and new business.
D x

DAY 700

Blimey that sounds like a lot. It has been a life changing path that is for sure. The numbers now tick along without me really counting but I am still fully aware and committed to continue this path.

Stay strrong everyone,

Matt

Respect and admiration for Matt the Magnificent. 700 Days Gamble Free and still going strong. Relaxed, focussed and at peace with himself. A noble man on a mission to enjoy life and realise his full potential

On this truly momentous occasion I applaud the compassion, understanding and support you have always shown to your fellow travellers along with the courage and resilience that has brought you to this wonderful day.

I am shortly going for a walk to the riverside where I collect my thoughts and gaze out over the River Humber. Tonight I will look up at the moon,stars and clouds and with a little punch in the air I will sing out ....."Well Done Matt."

Congrats Matt,

Great to read your success over the last 700 days. Keep enjoying the new life you have created for yourself!

All the best.

Belated congratulations Matt, I'm sure life is treating you well! Thank you for your inspiration, encouragement and support. Your diary is a must read for anyone who thinks they can't escape from gambling. Take care S x

You can keep going for sure Matt... Do whatever you can to stay strong as you're inspiring people like me who are day 8 in and feeling foggy. You never seem to lose hope and keep fighting... So just stay true to yourself and your strengths and in turn I will draw strength from your story.

You're taking gambling out of your present and focusing on it becoming just painful memories when you look back in 10-15 years time. You've let it rule a period in your life but youve made me realise that it doesn't have to govern the rest of your life that lays before you. Keep up the great work.

Over 2 years now since my last bet. Crazy to think where I’ve been and where I am now.

Thanks to everyone who has helped me along my journey.

Stay strong

Matt

Belated congratulations on the 2 years Matt. It’s amazing what you can achieve if you put your mind to it and stop gambling.

KTF

What a milestone! Enjoy every moment Matt, S x

Thanks guys. 2 years seems like such a long time ago and looking back what a terrible mess I was in. Life couldn't be more different now. Just about to sign an agreement to take over the company I work for and life is settled.

I have lots of plans for house improvemenets and hope to plan a couple of holidays soon. On my bucket list is to go on safari so I hope to achieve that next year.

There are still regrets but I can't look back too much as there is still so much life to live. Some days I stop to take it all in and others I am so busy the days and weeks fly by! I recently returned from Oktoberfest. 10 of us out there for a friends 40th birthday. One of the guys last year underwent a kidney transplant and he is a true inspiration, you only get one life so don't dwell and enjoy it while we can. He thinks I am an inspriation overcoming this addiction but we both have the same mindset now. Embrace, enjoy and appreciate how precious life is. It goes quickly so lets not waste a second.

Gambling takes away so much, I know that better than anyone but when you quit and live a gamble free life it truly gives you so much more.

Stay strong all and I really hope we can all beat this.

Matt